PBP: EFLC - Brighton & Hove Albion FC vs Manchester United FC - Sep 30, 2020 [R]

James ghosting around the pitch - even the Man Utd players haven't realised he is playing.

 

Bring Pogs on (for Fred?) to give him some more mins and bring Lingard for James.

 

He's painful to watch.

 

I'd prefer not to have Jesse, Mata AND VDB all on the pitch a once. Might combine nice, but still want the pace and a run in behind more frequently.

 

Great save from Hendo. Trossard is so dangerous.

Suppose that Mase or Rashford make more sense, especially playing on the left. Just done with James though. He's done nothing in his preferred position, again.

 

Superb save from Hendo. A remarkable stop from point blank range.

Pogba and Rashford on. That's good.

 

James de-cloaks to be subbed.

 

Potter was rumored to be interested in James. Wonder if he still believes he'd make a good addition.

 

Pogs is already noticeably moving better than he has in previous games. Proof that he clearly was lacking sharpness (which is very understandable).

Mata makes it 2! Very nice team goal: great flick by Donny on the assist but Fred started it all.

 

Mata with assist from vdB.

 

That seals it. Good build up play. Neat work from Fred and Donny in the build up.

We've looked different in transition with Pogba on the pitch. Everyone deeper looks ever so much calmer and our transition forward is much crisper.

 

Juan Mata has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 15 starts for Manchester United across all competitions (five goals and eight assists).

The little Spaniard even at 32 showing the class required at squad depth, something the likes of Lingard and James will never get to.

 

Pog-BOOM: 0-3!
Worth it for the commentary alone...

1311402002228838402 is not a valid tweet id

 

Pogs

 

Paul Labille Pogba. Superb.

Not superb, was headed off target. Lucky.

 

Own goal

 

Fred off, Jesse on. Pogba to CM again and VDB back to the 10.

 

Not the prettiest of games (much improved in the 2nd half) but we needed this. Now for the clean sheet to cap things off nicely.

 

Classic johno lol

 

Lingard being a useless cnut.

Should have played in Rashford for a simple goal.

 

Bailly looking like first season Bailly is the best thing out of this match.

 

FT: 0-3. Job done. Mata probably the pick for MotM. But Bailly has been good as well: he needs to start this weekend vs Spurs.

 

It doesn't seem like much, but Bailly's willingness and ability to take the angle tht he just did and make a tackle, whilst not exposing the space behind him, is what makes a high line work. Victor wouldn't have done the same next to Maguire, because Harry would have been backpedalling and opening up all the space in the world behind Victor had he done that.

A high line requires defenders not only to start, high, but apply pressure without selling themsleves or their teammates out. Harry's so acutely aware of his lack of pace, he's always dropping off making the high line almost pointless.

All in all, good result, but not a great performance. We definitely looked much better following the introduction of Pogba and Rash and later Jesse.

 

I feel that's a little harsh on Jesse. He should have played the ball, but I don't think that type off pass off 1 or 2 touches is something he's especially good at. Once he had beaten his man though, he should have laid it off.

 

Very refreshing to watch. Bailly/Lindelof is a much better pairing than Maguire/Lindelof and I suspect better than Bailly/Maguire in Harry's current form.

Such a positive thing when you have a pair of CBs who complement each other.